Area Developments

Jamaica AirTrain Infrastructure Improvements

This project aims to strengthen the major regional transportation hub on Sutphin Boulevard – comprised of the Long Island Rail Road (L.I.R.R), the New York City subway system, the AirTrain connection to the JFK International Airport and the 31 bus lines that currently serve the transportation hub located at the intersection of Archer Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard.

Jamaica Station at Sutphin Boulevard is one of the nation’s largest transit hubs, used daily by more than 255,000 commuters either passing through the station, changing modes, embarking or disembarking. With the completion of the Airtrain, the hub has the potential of becoming an international transportation gateway.

The Jamaica AirTrain Infrastructure Improvement project will improve vehicular access to the hub, optimize intermodal passenger transfers, improve pedestrian safety and create public open space, improve bus operations serving the hub and promote transit oriented development.

IMAX Infrastructure Projects

IMAX (Inter-modal Enhancements/Atlantic Avenue Extension) describes three key infrastructure improvements that will provide a vibrant new gateway to Downtown Jamaica.

Intermodal Enhancement

The Sutphin Underpass

This fully-funded project will create a more attractive street-level pedestrian experience directly across the street from the Air Train Terminal, in the passage running below the Long Island Railroad. The project will remove existing industrial uses in order to illuminate the underpass and create around 5,000 square feet of new retail space, intended to serve area users, particularly commuters, with goods and services. This space will be transformed into a passenger friendly space with special lighting graphic shops and other transit user amenities. Construction commenced in September and is expected to be completed in December 2010.

Station Plaza

This project will realign Archer Avenue to create a safe intermodal transfer for passengers using the bus and transit system.

The project will create two new public plazas at new relocated subway entrances, wider sidewalks, and will ease traffic congestion by creating separate bus loading and off-loading lane. A preliminary design and environmental review has been completed. This project is expected to be completed by early 2013.

Atlantic Avenue Extension 

The Atlantic Avenue Extension project is a fully-funded project designed to improve access to the transit hub from the Van Wyck Expressway and Atlantic Avenue. Atlantic Avenue will be extended through an existing mapped right-of-way to connect with 95th Avenue, creating a new gateway to the downtown and small park. The 95/94 Avenue One-Way Pair portion of the project will convert two (2) two-way streets to one way pair connecting the Atlantic Avenue Extension to the transit hub and the surrounding development that is currently being planned. The project includes a new roadbed, sidewalks, curbs, lighting, landscaping and graphics.

The Sutphin Boulevard BID thanks the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation for providing information regarding the Jamaica Airtrain Infrastructure Improvements.